Hong Kong Taxi Driver Jailed 8 Weeks for Overcharging, Fleeing Scene

A Hong Kong taxi driver was sentenced to eight weeks in prison and fined HK$3,000 after pleading guilty to overcharging an undercover police officer and fleeing the scene in a recent sting operation.

Chan Wai-kee, 64, appeared before the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday where he admitted to one count of careless driving and two charges of overcharging. The incident occurred on April 29 in Happy Valley, where an undercover officer boarded Chan’s taxi as part of an operation targeting rogue taxi drivers.

According to court documents, Chan quoted a flat fare of HK$280 for a trip to the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui—approximately HK$150 above the legally prescribed rate. The driver also failed to activate the taximeter before starting the journey. Upon arrival, the undercover officer paid in cash and left the vehicle. A plainclothes officer then approached Chan’s window to identify himself as police, at which point Chan accelerated suddenly and sped away, endangering nearby pedestrians and officers.

Chan surrendered to police the following day and admitted his involvement. The court was informed that he has 32 prior criminal convictions, including multiple cases linked to overcharging and traffic violations such as careless driving. The defence argued that Chan’s voluntary surrender demonstrated remorse and that the loss of his taxi license would prevent further offenses.

Principal Magistrate David Cheung ruled that imprisonment was warranted due to the risks posed by Chan’s attempt to flee. Under Hong Kong law, the maximum penalty for overcharging is six months’ imprisonment and a HK$10,000 fine, while careless driving carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a HK$5,000 fine.

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